While embarrassment remains high (81 per cent), a worrying two thirds (67 per cent) say they would not feel in control at the prospect of a test.

With smear test attendance plummeting, and as low as one in two among young women in some areas of the UK, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust has uncovered a wide range of new issues which it fears are contributing to the decline.

The charity says it is concerned more than two thirds (68 per cent) of the 2,005 25-35 year olds questioned say they wouldn’t tell their nurse their smear test worries, with almost half admitting they regularly delay or don’t take up their invitation.

Worries about making a fuss (27 per cent), fear of being judged (18 per cent) or thinking their concerns are too silly or small (16 per cent) mean women may instead be avoiding a potentially life-saving test.

Lindsay was 29 when she was diagnosed with stage 1b cervical cancer.

She said: “I had my first ever smear test when I was 29, so I had actually put it off for seven years.

“I had ignored all my invitations for lots of reasons - partly I was busy at work and was looking after my young child but I was also a bit scared and really embarrassed about getting undressed in front of a stranger.

“The idea made me feel vulnerable and so I just didn’t go. I had to have a hysterectomy to treat the cancer which meant I can’t have any more children, this is still really hard to cope with.

“Please don’t miss your smear test. A minute of feeling awkward is nothing compared to what I’ve been through and there are lots of things you can do to make the test better. “

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is launching its #SmearForSmear campaign during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (January 21-27) to tackle the decline and acknowledge the fact going for a smear test can be difficult.

“We want women to feel comfortable talking to their nurse and asking questions. It’s not making a fuss and there are many ways to make the test easier. Please don’t let your fears stop you booking a test.”

When asked what has caused them to delay or miss a test, three quarters (72 per cent) said embarrassment or a stranger examining an intimate area (69 per cent).

Fear it will hurt (58 per cent), not knowing how to talk to a stranger about intimate body parts (44 per cent) and not knowing what will happen during the test (37 per cent) were also given as reasons by high numbers of women.

Robert said: “We want to see self-sampling being made available as well as more flexible locations for women to attend.

“It’s vital women have more control otherwise we will see attendance continue to fall and diagnoses of this often-preventable cancer increase.”